Hatching vs purchasing chicks

[Criticalicious]

Yes, what part of SC? I got my chicks at Egg Well Farm and they have all turned out lovely. They're NPIP and they will ship, or you can pick up on the farm if you're not too far away from the Spartanburg area.

 

[aart]

Sounds like a great daddy daughter project!

Here's some great info on hatching:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

 

[igorsMistress]

Beware the enablers

I went the feed store route the first time. 1/6 sexed chicks was a roo.

Statistically chickens hatch at 50/50 male/female so you'll need at least a dozen eggs if you hatch with a plan for the roos. Unless you get POL pullets, boys will happen.

Having chicks is fun, hatching chicks is more fun.

 

[Kates Chooks]

You may have to deal with cockerels no matter which route you go. Even sexed birds don't have a 100% guarantee they are pullets unless it's a sex ink and they can tell by color. I have a speckled sussex rooster that was supposed to be a pullet! Tomorrow is pick up day for my 15 chicks from Cackle Hatchery, and it's always exciting to bring new babies home. I have never incubated eggs so I can't advise you there, but lots of people have probably answered those questions already. if you do incubate, I hope the chicks don't hatch out while the kids are in school! They'd miss the fun.

 

[jolenesdad]

Exciting!

You should follow along with the Easter hatch a long and joint the next one with your hatch! It’s been incredibly informative and we are just a couple days in.

 

[Sprayanimal]

Hey y’all.
I’m new to chickens, though my husband is not. He has incubated eggs as a child, as well as raising chickens. This will be a family activity, but primarily my “project”

I’m looking for opinions on hatching vs buying chicks. To get the breeds I’m really looking for, odds are I’ll have to order online. I’d love to incubate/hatch primarily for the kids to experience it. (They are 13 and a very well behaved 6) Any advice? I’m completely on woth you telling me I’m nuts for starting off with hatching and I should get chicks instead. But if I do hatch I have these questions:

Anyone have recommendations for where to order the eggs?
Taking into consideration the survival rate and the fact that I really don’t want roosters, how many of each breed (I want 2 different breeds) should I order if I’m aiming towards 3 females of each breed? (I’m flexible on that though)

I’m open to any other advice, and I’ll be pouring through the thread to see what I find

Thanks!

Oh, and I’m in SC if that makes a difference

Try a feed store like tractor supply. Especially if you dont want rooster. Quick and easy no dissatisfaction. Have fun

 

[CJONESFAY]

I have gone both ways ... but everytime we hatch at home we end up with too many roos and then have to cut back give away or they kill each other

 

[Justy59]

I think that you could do both but going the egg route you might just get a better bred chicken. That being said the 7th graders in our school love to incubate chicks and it is a very good learning experience.